Everything that Liam Scales said to the media after Celtic's 1-0 Scottish Premiership win over Rangers at Ibrox

What did the manager say to you before the game?

We treated it as every game although obviously there is that little extra bit of volume, but we didn't really do much differently. He (Brendan Rodgers) trusts how I can play. I have had a full pre-season so it was just a case of going in and playing my game.

In the absence of several defenders this is a real chance for you to make an impression, isn't it?

That's what I was telling myself all day - I've had to wait for over two years now for this chance to go and play for Celtic against Rangers. Obviously, I was at Aberdeen last season. All day and all last night I was just telling myself to go and do my thing and show people what I am about because there is no bigger fixture in Scottish football than this, especially at Ibrox. To keep a clean sheet as well was brilliant. I don't allow any negative thoughts to come into the game I only have positive thoughts. It's easy to crumble under pressure so I don't think like that.

Was your heart in your mouth when Kemar Roofe scored for Rangers?

Yes, it was to be honest because the ref didn't give it at first and it looked 50/50 from my angle but for him to go and check on the monitor, it must have been clear that it was a foul so it was a relief. We then went on to nick a goal just before halftime was a bonus. The second half was all about the grind. Gus said to the ref it was a free kick. Look you get these decisions sometimes. I think we can both do better. We are still getting used to each other's games. We are still learning each other's games. Neither of us is hugely experienced and it will take time to gel. We know we can do better and we are happy we have kept two clean sheets in a row.

READ MORE: The Celtic numbers: How Kyogo and his teammates won at Ibrox

What were your thoughts after last week's 0-0 draw against St Johnstone at home?

Look we know what the fans at Celtic Park expect, especially when you are expected to dominate the game and beat these sorts of teams. That comes with playing for Celtic. Obviously, it's tough when you try to recycle the ball and you feel the pressure of the crowd. They have been fans at the club for a long time and their standards are for us to push and win leagues and trebles and play in Europe. Our success is built on them.

What was the experience like of playing against Rangers without any Celtic fans in attendance?

To be honest it's just absolute carnage, it's just loud. The one thing that was unusual was when we scored because there were no away fans to celebrate. You are so focused on the game all you can hear is carnage - you can't hear what people are shouting. It's very noisy here and it was nice to silence the place with a goal. Maybe the fans were getting on their backs, They forced things so it helped us a bit and it helped us but that's just part of the games. Their fans expect them to win at home all the time as well - the same as Celtic fans. We were focused on getting out of here with a clean sheet.

Can this display help you cement a place in the team?

Definitely. Look, all I can do is do my best. I need to make it difficult for the manager by putting in good performances and if I can keep clean sheets with every performance and be good on the ball and defend well, then I will give him a headache at least. That's all I am looking at and that's taking it game-by-game and giving him have a decision to make. I've only played a handful of games for Celtic and I had to go out on loan to gain experience last season. To be back here and get into the team, although there were a couple of injuries that helped that. It's a chance I have to take. Maybe if there weren't a couple of injuries I wouldn't have got this chance. But it's great to be in this position and I have to make the most of it.

Do you think playing regular football at Celtic can aid you in your quest to gain a full cap for the Republic of Ireland?

There is tough competition because there are four centre-halves playing in the Premier League for the Republic. It's probably the strongest position we have so it is tough. I still haven't been capped although I have been in squads and on the bench. I'm chasing that first cap. That's a massive goal of mine. It's probably the one thing I always wanted as a kid. This will help.